SMITH LAKE
Contributed by Dave Dobak
FACTS
Country: United States
Location: East Humboldt Wilderness, Nevada
Round trip: 7 km
Start elevation: 2550 m
Final Elevation: 2772 m
Maps: Humboldt National Forest recreation map of “Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Wildernesses”
GETTING THERE
The trailhead is reached by Angel Lake Road from Wells, NV. 12 miles, paved
PARTIAL PLANT LIST
Calochortus nuttallii
Comandra umbellata
Heuchera cylindrica
Pellaea breweri
Cryptogramma stelleri
Monardella odoratissima
Phacelia sericea
Frasera speciosa
Ipomopsis aggregata
Castilleja sp.
Gallium sp.
Arenaria sp.
Artemisia sp.
Penstemon sp.
Even Including the drive, this is not quite a full-day excursion even at botanical speed. You may want to spend time at Smith Lake looking for Bighorn sheep on the rocky slopes above the lake, or botanize around Angel Lake, or on the ridge above Angel Lake.
The trail begins in open meadow, and occasional clumps of trees provide shade; but mostly the trail is in open sun.
In the meadow, Artemisia provides structure, and a great variety of plants makes a colorful scene. Castilleja and Calochortus nuttallii are striking.
In amongst rocks Pellaea breweri and Cryptogramma stelleri grow.
For a detailed trail description with scenic photos, visit www.rubymountains.org/birdeye.html .
“Montane Islands in a Desert Sea” by Theodore Cochrane in Rock Garden Quarterly, Spring 2002, 60:1.
Hiker’s Guide – Trails in the Elko Area, and Ruby Mountains Visitor Guide, both by Larry Hyslop
(grayjaypress.com/hiking.htm) .
Ruby Mountain Flora, by Steve Anderson et. al. (www.museum-elko.us), a popular wildflower guide, is somewhat useful.
SMITH LAKE GALLERY.
Click the arrows to start the slideshow or click on an image to expand.
